Students can find safety on the roads in a school bus - continued
Seat Belts on The School Bus!
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From The Naples Daily News. By Brent Batten. First published by The Naples Daily News, original story title, STUDENTS CAN FIND SAFETY ON THE ROADS IN A SCHOOL BUS, published March 14, 2000, Copyright �2000, All Rights Reserved. Posted by permission from Naples Daily News.
The Naples Daily News Page 2, continued - But the relationship has taken a serious new turn, at least in Collier County.
The road network has not kept up with growth. That's no fault of today's juniors and seniors but it's a fact.
There are too many cars on too few lanes at peak times of day.
Even seasoned drivers can have difficulty keeping their wits about them.
Friends described 17-year-old Melissa Schultz, the victim of the March 3 crash, as a careful driver. She was not hot-rodding or showing off when she pulled into the path of an oncoming van. She just made a terrible mistake.
Anytime one driver can take the place of a couple of dozen, the chances of an accident decrease by a factor of 96 percent.
When that one driver is a professional, and the couple of dozen being replaced are, by definition, just learning, the improvement is even more dramatic.
The actions called for in the students' petition - lower speed limits, better enforcement, larger fines - have merit. They are to be applauded for their attempt to spare others the pain they have felt.
But effecting change sometimes requires sacrifice. It would be fitting for students who are sincere about safer roads to consider the bus. That action would speak as loud as any words printed on a petition. (bb)
Popular toys may snag on school bus
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Pokemon, Furby, Beanie Babies and other small toys hanging from backpacks pose a safety hazard to children getting off the school bus, according to school transportation experts and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
"Fortunately, there have been no deaths or injuries caused by these toys snagging, so we have an opportunity to forewarn parents and school officials," said Michael Martin of the School Bus Information Council. In the past eight years, six children have been killed and 22 injured when clothing, backpacks or other loose items snagged on bus components, Martin said.
Officials from both organizations agree that there is nothing wrong with the toys themselves, but that when they dangle they become as dangerous as loose drawstrings, straps and other items.
"We always err on the side of caution," said Rosalyn G. Millman, acting administrator of NHTSA. "The most effective way to prevent problems is for parents and caregivers to ensure that children do not wear or carry anything likely to become entangled."
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